Clay Cleveland was introduced as Syracuse's starting fullback before nearly every game last year, recognized on a giant video board, his name announced over the loudspeakers, seemingly an integral part of the Orange offense.

"I got in two formations all year," Cleveland said. "Stony Brook and West Virginia. Four plays against Stony Brook, two against West Virginia."

When former offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett changed course before the season and opted for the no-huddle spread, Cleveland was made insignificant. He had gone from walk-on to starter to observer.

"His name and face coming on the Jumbotron as a starter and his friends and family were coming out and then saying, 'What happened? Where were you?'" his father, Skip, said. "That was the hardest. He actually said he felt like a bigger part of the team the year before when he was on the kickoff return."

But then came a moment three weeks ago.

Head coach Scott Shafer stood in front of the Orange before a team meeting and rattled off the qualities he looks for in a walk-on. He talked about solid academics and hard work, determination, reliability and a team-oriented attitude.

Then he asked Cleveland and roommate Joey Nassib to come to come in front of the team. They were told they'd earned scholarships Syracuse had left over, setting off a round of hooting from teammates.

"It's been a long time coming," running backs coach DeAndre Smith said. "When I first got the job I thought he was a scholarship player. You look at ability, dependability, and he's really smart. I just assumed. I was really shocked he wasn't a scholarship player."

A few months earlier, after three years of dashed opportunities, Cleveland had been contemplating leaving Syracuse entirely.

Cleveland arrived at Syracuse after four years at Masconomet High School (Boxford, Mass.) and a year of prep school at Phillips Academy (Andover, Mass.).

He'd hoped to attend an Ivy League school, was offered starting spots at Division III schools and earned interest from FCS schools before SU head coach Doug Marrone promised him a roster spot as a walk-on.

For Cleveland, who never upped his SAT scores quite high enough for the Ivys, it was a chance to fulfill a dream he had since third grade. He'd broken his arm in a bike accident before football that year, an injury that might have kept many young kids from playing. Cleveland, though, would sit in the front seat of his father's truck before each game or practice, his helmet buckled and ready to go. He played the whole season with a heavy black cast weighing down one arm, an absurd sight on such a small child.

"It looked bigger than he did," Skip said.

It was the first sign that Cleveland could stick through tough times.

Skip said that Marrone had told Cleveland he'd try to get him on scholarship after his freshman season. The constant influx of recruits, though, never left one available.

A college football buff, Cleveland ached to play at Southern California his sophomore year but never got on the field.

Clay Cleveland played more offensive snaps in Syracuse's opening game than he did all of 2012.Gary Walts | Syracuse.com

Last season, his junior year, was most painful.

Cleveland earned the starting fullback job in the spring, and the staff planned to use him regularly. Hackett's change in philosophy ignited the offense but made Cleveland irrelevant.

The 6-foot-1, 230-pound senior never complained to his teammates. His father said his attitude remained positive. But when he sat down for his first meeting with Smith before this year, Cleveland was mulling a transfer. Smith told him that the Orange intended to use a fullback this season and that he'd play an important role.

"Yeah, well, we were running it last year and then we changed," Cleveland said. "I'd heard that before. I hoped it was true."

Still, hearing those words was enough to make him stay, and the start of this season has made it all worth it.

Jerome Smith said Cleveland is the smartest running back on the team, constantly thinking of what a defense will do to counter SU's offense, and thinking about how the Orange will respond.

"He double questions everything," Smith said. "'So, what if they do this?' 'Aw man, come on Clay, I don't think they're going to do that.'"

Cleveland has excellent hands for a fullback, bringing versatility for a player his size.

He was on the field for 16 plays against Penn State in Syracuse's opener, and on his first offensive snap of the season, he was tasked with sealing off a defensive end.

Against Northwestern, Cleveland's name was announced as a starter. This time he was on the field, no longer a starter in name but one in reality.

"I was excited just to play," Cleveland said. "The scholarship is just a bonus. It's awesome. I just wanted a chance."